Novartis Bets $1.4 Billion on IL-6 Monoclonal Antibody; No Comparable Domestic Candidates in Pipeline

On September 9, Novartis announced,Has reached an acquisition agreement with Tourmaline Bio, acquiring a productIL6 Monoclonal AntibodyPacibekitug，As a treatment option for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At a price of $48 per share,The total amount of the transaction is approximately 1.4 billion US dollars.。

According to the terms of the deal, Novartis willWholly-owned subsidiary indirectly toTourmaline Bio Launch a tender offer. After the acquisition is completed, Novartis plans to merge the acquired subsidiary withTourmaline Bio Merge, thereby causingTourmaline BioTo become an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Pacibekitug is an investigational IL-6 monoclonal antibody designed to alleviate atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. (ASCVD) Related systemic inflammation.

Released in May this yearPhase IITRANQUILITY Study Results Showed that Monthly Dosing of Pacibekitug at 15 mg Reduced Median Levels of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) by 85%, While Quarterly Dosing at 50 mg Reduced hs-CRP Levels by 86%. The Overall Incidence of Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events Was Comparable to Placebo.

Source: Insight Database

These encouraging results show that Pacibekitug has the potential to meet unmet needs in the cardiovascular treatment field by more effectively targeting residual inflammatory risk than existing therapies and achieving once-quarterly dosing.

Insight database shows that globally, there are 8 IL6 monoclonal antibodies under research. In China, only Genor Biopharma has introduced Jerrylizumab from Bird Rock Bio in May 2013.

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